Okotoks, Alta., to host 2027 Canadian U-18 Championships

The Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships are returning to Alberta next year, Curling Canada announced today.

Murray Arena and the Okotoks Curling Club will host the 2027 Canadian U-18 Championships from April 18–24. It will be the first time the event has returned to Wild Rose Country since 2019, when Sherwood Park played host.

“Okotoks and its host committee have shown tremendous support, and we know they’ll deliver an exceptional experience for the next generation of our sport,” said Nolan Thiessen, Chief Executive Officer of Curling Canada. “This event holds a special place in our sport. For many young curlers, it’s their first Canadian championship, and a defining step in Curling Canada’s Youth Competitive Pathway. Since this event has started, we have seen many of the athletes’ first steps at the U-18s lead to more appearances at future Nationals, and we’re sure that those in Okotoks will shape the future of competitive curling in this country.”

The event has served as a springboard for some of Canada’s top curlers. Athletes who earned a medal at the Canadian U-18s and went on to compete at a Season of Champions event this past season include Olympic gold medallist Tyler Tardi, Manitoba’s Jordon McDonald, Northern Ontario’s Jacob Horgan, New Brunswick’s Mélodie Forsythe and Rebecca Watson, Quebec’s Team Jolianne Fortin, Ontario’s Dylan Niepage, and British Columbia’s Mitch Kopytko.

Forty-two teams take part in the annual event. The male and female Under-18 champions from each of Curling Canada’s 14 Member Associations — 10 provinces, three territories, and Northern Ontario — receive invitations. The host Member Association, Curling Alberta, earns a second invitation, as do the top six-ranked Member Associations based on standings from the previous two Canadian Under-18 Championships, excluding the host.

“We’re thrilled to host the U-18 national curling championships in Okotoks next April,” said Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn. “Curling has deep roots in our community and this event is a wonderful opportunity to welcome athletes and fans from across Canada while showcasing the warm hospitality that makes Okotoks such a special place.”

Located within the Okotoks Recreation Centre, Murray Arena features an NHL-sized ice pad and a seating capacity of 1,000. The Okotoks Curling Club, built in 1983, is home to more than 650 members, six sheets of quality ice, and a strong junior program, making it one of the most popular curling facilities in southern Alberta.

The Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships debuted in 2017. On the male side, Nova Scotia leads all Member Associations with two championship wins. In female competition, three Member Associations share the lead: Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Northern Ontario.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships back to Alberta,” said Jill Groves, Executive Director of Curling Alberta. “Our young athletes have shown tremendous growth, and Okotoks is the perfect stage to showcase that to the nation. We’re committed to delivering an outstanding experience for every competitor.”

The 2027 event will also mark the first time a national curling championship has been hosted in Okotoks.

“Hosting the U-18 Canadian championships is both an honour and a responsibility we embrace with excitement,” said host committee chair Atina Ford Johnston. “This event represents the future of our sport, and we are committed to creating a championship experience that is welcoming, well-organized, and memorable for everyone involved.”

Most recently, the 2026 edition was hosted by Timmins, Ont., where Quebec’s Team Raphaël Tremblay claimed gold on the male side, and Saskatchewan’s Team Renee Wood emerged victorious on the female side.